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chai spice donut holes with a bite out of one showing the inside

Easy Chai Spice Donuts

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Sally
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 donuts or 20 donut holes
  • Category: Donuts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Baked and completely easy chai spice donuts are extra delicious and ready in under 30 minutes!


Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (divided)
  • 1 large egg*
  • 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream*
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) milk*
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray donut pan or 24-count mini muffin pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  2. Make the donuts: Whisk the granulated sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and allspice together. Set aside.
  3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside. Whisk 3 Tablespoons of melted butter, egg, 1/3 cup of the sugar/spice mix (the rest is for the coating), sour cream, milk, and vanilla together until completely combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter will be thick.
  4. Spoon the batter into the donut cavities—I highly recommend using a large zipped-top bag for ease. Cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling 2/3 – 3/4 of the way full. (You can see me doing this in my pumpkin donuts post.) Or, if making donut holes, spoon the batter into the mini muffin pan, filling each 3/4 of the way full. You’ll only need a couple teaspoons of batter for each.
  5. Bake the donuts or donut holes for 9–10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and when poked lightly with a finger, they spring back. Once done, transfer to a wire rack set on a large piece of parchment paper or on a large baking sheet. Bake the remaining donut batter (there is usually enough batter for 1-2 more donuts) and once baked, transfer to the wire rack. Allow donuts to cool down until you can handle them.
  6. Top the donuts: Re-melt the remaining butter if it has solidified by now. Dip the donuts in the melted butter, then dunk into the remaining sugar/spice mixture, making sure to coat all sides. Donuts are best served immediately. Leftovers keep well covered tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Notes

  1. Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the donuts for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm up to your liking in the microwave. I usually just zap ’em for a couple seconds.
  2. Special Tools (affiliate links): Donut Pan or 24-count Mini Muffin Pan | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Large Zipped-Top Bag | Cooling Rack
  3. Room Temperature Ingredients: I find it is best to have these 3 ingredients at room temperature. The batter comes together very easily. Any milk works, whether that’s whole milk, skim milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or almond milk.
  4. Adapted from baked cinnamon sugar donuts.